3 minute read
A gear change has helped former English stayer Durston find his best form.
When Durston turned in an inglorious performance in the Premier's Cup three starts ago, his spring carnival campaign was at the crossroads.
The English import had raced fiercely, burning up his energy before weakening to finish last and more than 23 lengths from winner Arapaho, his antics forcing trainer Chris Waller back to the drawing board.
Waller made a subtle but important gear change, fitting Durston with a Norton Bit in the hope it would give his jockey more control and the ability to coax the horse to relax.
"We changed his bit because he bolted that day in a race," Waller said.
"That has given more control and given him a second half of a race instead of a first half."
Durston responded to the tweak by romping home with the Wyong and Newcastle Cups at his subsequent starts, scoring by a combined total of five lengths to earn favouritism for Saturday's Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick.
While the Group 1 race represents another step again, Waller says Durston has continued to thrive and with only 14 starts under his belt, is yet to reach his ceiling.
"He probably hasn't beaten a lot yet, but he has been winning very well," Waller said.
"He's done well. He galloped (Saturday) morning and we're quite excited about him."
Waller-trained horses account for almost half of the 15-strong Metropolitan field, although both Surefire and Francesco Guardi have also been paid up for races in Melbourne.
Track conditions at Randwick and Flemington could dictate where they run with Surefire in particular, more effective on firmer ground.
Surefire has finished fifth in the Chelmsford and Kingston Town Stakes at his past two starts on rain-affected tracks but has been pleasing the team at home.
"He is working well and I'm adamant he is going as well as anything else we've got, but he needs a good surface," Waller said.
Kukeracha, No Compromise, Hameron and Chalk Stream, who will race in the ownership of the recently crowned King Charles III, round out Waller's Metropolitan team.
